MrJoshua
Full Member
Well a while back I bought a 3w laser module (and glasses of course) with the intention of combining it with my home made CNC machine so I can etch/engrave names/logos etc onto my pens for people who want that.
Not a straightforward thing because even though I can fit the laser into the CNC machine chuck and tell it to do some writing, there's no control over turning the laser on & off though, so this means unwanted burnt bits either between one letter and the next, or at the start/end etc. The power also cannot be varied.
So after a bit of research it seems that the CNC control software (Mach3) can be used with an extra laser driving circuit (Flexmod P3) to get round these obstacles.
Finally got the circuit after waiting what seems like forever, so I have to get it wired up now, and try to sort out the software and tweaks etc necessary.
Anyone else on here done a similar conversion like this? I'm hoping it won't be too awkward o figure out but will be great to be able to offer people their names or slogans on their pens, and also use for options like adding brass powder into the engraved out surface if it's a dark wood for instance.
Pics and progress to follow, but here's the laser module in its heatsink, and a 3d printed housing/shroud I made, to attach to a small 12v fan, which then has a piece attaching on the back of the fan to go in the chuck. Bit rough but should work ok to keep it cool and also blow smoke away from the surface.
Not a straightforward thing because even though I can fit the laser into the CNC machine chuck and tell it to do some writing, there's no control over turning the laser on & off though, so this means unwanted burnt bits either between one letter and the next, or at the start/end etc. The power also cannot be varied.
So after a bit of research it seems that the CNC control software (Mach3) can be used with an extra laser driving circuit (Flexmod P3) to get round these obstacles.
Finally got the circuit after waiting what seems like forever, so I have to get it wired up now, and try to sort out the software and tweaks etc necessary.
Anyone else on here done a similar conversion like this? I'm hoping it won't be too awkward o figure out but will be great to be able to offer people their names or slogans on their pens, and also use for options like adding brass powder into the engraved out surface if it's a dark wood for instance.
Pics and progress to follow, but here's the laser module in its heatsink, and a 3d printed housing/shroud I made, to attach to a small 12v fan, which then has a piece attaching on the back of the fan to go in the chuck. Bit rough but should work ok to keep it cool and also blow smoke away from the surface.
